Proposed Beach Regulation Changes in Greenwich

Photo: Greenwich Point Park at low tide. Credit: Barbara Heins.

Greenwich officials are looking to alleviate the overcrowding issues that plagued Greenwich Point Park this past summer.

And to that end one of the solutions under consideration is a proposed increase of the guest/non-resident daily parking pass fee from $20 to $35, along with dollar increase to the current $6 guest beach pass. At Friday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, there also was discussion of an increased police presence to enforce existing rules.

The visitor parking fee increase was presented by Parks and Recreation Director Joseph Siciliano, said, “We are looking at a revised beach policy to improve service to residents and non-residents.”

Siciliano said the town hasn’t increased it’s non-resident daily parking fee since it was instituted in 2001. He said that in researching beach fees charged by neighboring coastal towns, it became obvious “we have not kept this fee current.” For example, Westport charges a $50 per car per day fee on weekends; Stamford and Darien sell limited numbers of seasonal parking permits, and the town of Fairfield only allows non-residents to visit two of that town’s five beaches, Siciliano said.

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Selectman Drew Marzullo said, “If the goal in increasing the non-resident fee from $20 to $35 is to reduce the number of non-residents, will that solve or diminish the issue. I argue no.”

Siciliano responded, “It is one of the ways to get to where we want to go. It goes a long way to manage it and part of the goal is to manage by getting us into the (price) market. At $7 a day for beach pass plus $35 for parking, that’s $42 for one person to come to the beach.”

First Selectman Peter Tesei said, “It’s paying for the cost of using the resource … to come up with the most equitable way for non-residents to pay their fair share.”

According to Siciliano, Greenwich’s parks and recreation fees generate $4.6 million in revenue for an $11 million annual department budget. “Fifty-five to 60 percent of our budget is supported by the tax levy.”

Tesei said there is a finite amount of beach space available, along with parking for about 1,100 cars. Both Siciliano and the selectmen said they have received complaints of overcrowding the the beach in Old Greenwich.

“We pretty much had a perfect summer season. The complaints came on high tide Sundays and on holiday weekends,” Siciliano said. He also said he will be working with Greenwich Police to increase patrols at the beach, especially during high usage days.

The department is seeking to have at least two officers assigned to the park on weekends and holidays that will cost an additional $52,800, and one officer assigned to Island Beach on Sundays and holidays at an additional $11,200.

Tesei said that the town needs to have police enforce various regulations including the prohibition of glass on the beach, noise and parking regulations and speeding. Siciliano said enforcement of regulations should not be left to lifeguards. “Their focus is to be on the water,” Siciliano said.

Every December Siciliano presents proposed increases of parks and recreation fees which must be approved by the selectmen.

Do you agree there needs to be more regulation of non-resident visitors at Greenwich Point to control overcrowding? Let us know in the comments section below.